By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 5/31/13 Friday finally arrived and it was predicted that it would be a warm one. So I had an easy relatively flat ride planned. I got up, had breakfast, got my kit on and headed for Burger King. Digger and Surgeon were waiting as I pulled up and we talked while having some coffee till Dura Max arrived. A few minutes later Highlander drove up followed by Ruby Tuesday and T-3. Bulldozer was next followed by Gambler. By 8:27 it looked like nine would be as big as this group was going to be so looking one last time, to make sure D’Artagnon wasn’t coming, we hit the road on Gilmore. Ruby Tuesday was riding strong so she led us to Acacia and then over to Kirby. To tell the truth I was have a pretty good day myself so I had to remind myself this was Friday and I was in no hurry to get anywhere so there was no reason to run anyone down. The light changed and Ruby Tuesday and T-3 took off south to Cypress at a pretty good clip and headed west towards Johnston and the light at Sanderson. We only had to sit for a little while before we were once again heading south on Sanderson and heading for Stetson. Once again Ruby Tuesday took the lead and pulled us to Domenigoni and started us west towards Warren. She gave to lead to me and I took us most of the way to Warren till I looked back to see Gambler and Bulldozer towing Dura Max and an easy cruise of about 19 MPH. I dropped back to keep company with them till they pulled Dura Max and I to the Saddle for a regroup. We dropped off of the back side of the saddle and headed for Lindenburger. We got past the light as a group and continued on to Menifee with me taking the lead. We scooted past Menifee Lakes and pulled up behind a car on Antelope. When the light changed Highlander took off followed by Surgeon. Normally I think it is a roll of the dice to see if Highlander can make it to Haun for a green light. If he doesn’t make it the fast climb becomes a wasted effort because the light is so long even the slowest of the group catches you at the light. That is what happened today, he caught the red. Once we were all headed west again it was a quick trip to Carl’s for a nature break before we were rolling again past Murrieta and headed towards Laladera. I lead us to the light and the jog on Berea and onto Normandy before finally turning on Laladera and heading north. I like the fact they repaved Laladera because the tires on my bike roll so much smoother and easier buy I realize it is just daydreaming to think most of the streets we ride on will be repaved anything soon. Our next move would be to Honeyrun and east past the Owl preserve. We moved on to Valley and north towards McCall with Highlander and Surgeon pulling away going up the small grade. They might have made their escape if the light at Murrieta and McCall wasn’t a very long light. Once again we all crossed Murrieta together and Followed Surgeon and Highlander closely to see when the next break would be. However we all made it through the light at the Valero together and Ruby Tuesday and T-3 were right with them heading to the light at Sherman. Gambler and Bulldozer moved from the back like two sharks getting ready to feed and they were all together at Hillpointe when it turned red. Just as Ruby Tuesday, T-3, Dura Max and I got to the light the waiting four decided to run the light. They were half way to the flat spot on the hill before we even got started. We are planning filing a complaint with the Cat 6 racing commission but we don’t have an address so we may have to post a public notice. None the less we regrouped at the top of the hill where I chided the errant foursome for their transgressions and we took a short break before heading down the back side to McCall heading for Heritage. The group started to break up as we crossed Menifee. Bulldozer was the first to break away when he turned onto Menifee while the rest of us turned onto Heritage. We got to Lindenburger and Simpson in time to see Bulldozer fly by on Simpson. Dura Max headed for Domenigoni and home. Gambler started a chase when we got to turn but by Briggs some of the group started to fall off. I stopped and waited for Digger and we both waited for T-3 and Ruby Tuesday. When we got to Leon Ruby Tuesday, T-3 and I headed for the dump road and Digger continued on to Winchester. I left Ruby Tuesday and T-3 on Winchester and dropped over to Chris’s. After a quick break we headed for home with Gambler and Bulldozer heading for Domenigoni and Highlander leading Surgeon, Digger and me to Stowe before heading east to California. I took the lead about a quarter of a mile before California and then took us to Stetson. I was still pulling as we got to Warren where Surgeon left us. After we rolled past Warren Highlander pulled in front of me and took Digger down the airport road while I headed for Sanderson on Stetson. It didn’t take long to get to Johnston and then home where lunch and a hot shower was a welcome relief froma much warmer day.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 5/29/13 I was not up before the alarm this morning. In fact it was all I could do to get out of bed. But I had things to do and places to go so I rolled out of bed and staggered to the kitchen to look out upon the day. One look and my day looked better. I was still tired but I knew it was going to be a great day for a ride. I got to Burger King to see Digger and Surgeon talking and I rode over to the windows to get some coffee. All we had to do at this point was wait and see how many riders would show up. By 8:25 there were ten of us with Gambler, Bulldozer, Bloodhound, Highlander, MacGyver, Dura Max and Rabbit joining the other three. We took off down Gilmore and to Acacia before turning west to Kirby and a wait at the light. Soon we were headed south on Kirby and towards the housing tract on Cypress. Bloodhound was following Bulldozer like a heat seeking missile and they were quickly off the front and headed around the corner and headed for Johnston. Soon we were all waiting at the light on Sanderson and ready to make the turn south. Once the light changed Bloodhound and Bulldozer were once again out front with the rest of us following. We managed to roll up to Stetson just as the light turned green so we rolled on by and past Wally World. The pace was picking up a bit and Gambler pulled up next to me to confirm the route. Once we were clear on where we were going he pulled away and went after Bloodhound and Bulldozer followed by Surgeon. We were quickly past Mustang and caught the light at Domenigoni. Gambler said he would be taking the A group up Seven dollar hill and I would take the B group to McSweeney. We rounder the corner and headed for State Street. I watched the A group make the turn on Searl and we continued on to the corner at State and south towards McSweeney with Highlander leading us to and through the Housing tract. Rabbit started out strong but soon dropped back like a fallen water bottle and we didn’t see him again till we regrouped when we got back to State. We headed down to the light on Domenigoni. As we waited for the light we could see the A group coming down from Searl and they were riding fast. Once the light turned green we took off north running like we were being chased by Big Foot with Surgeon pulling the group to Chambers. Once again we dropped Rabbit as we turned towards the golf course and over to Buena Vista and over to Santa Fe and Stetson where the A group caught us. We turned onto Stetson and soon the A group had pulled away and gapped the B group by about a quarter of a mile. We did close up at a light at the High School and then they got away again and this time they took some of the B group with them. I had three or four riders with me and we stayed on Stetson all the way to Fairview where we once again regrouped. Rabbit was nowhere to be seen so we headed north on Fairview till it turned into Cedar and out onto Ramona heading to Lake Park drive. Once we turned onto Lake Park Highlander took us to Soboba and we started the run east towards State again. Bloodhound was well ahead of us at the light and was almost out of sight as we made the turn and by the time we got to the golf course Gambler and Bulldozer started a speed run west on Soboba with MacGyver just off of their back wheel. Surgeon and Highlander started a little late for a chase but soon Highlander was pulling pretty strong until I pulled up to give him a pull at the first rise after the driving range. I started to fade a bit when Surgeon rolled by me and I had to dig down to close back on him. Highlander pulled around me and saved my bacon when I got his draft and he got Surgeon’s back wheel. I recovered to attack on the last hill and got to the top just in front of Surgeon and we continued on to the stop sign for a small regroup sans Gambler and Bulldozer. We headed for Ramona and east to go back to Carl’s. Dura Max and I missed one green light and that pretty much became the story of our ride all the way to Carl’s where we stopped for coffee and conversation. We were almost ready to leave when Rabbit showed up and when we left he headed a different way because he had an appointment. That left five of us to head for home. Dura Max left us at Park and it looked like Highlander was about to crank it up and head for the Barn with Bloodhound right with him. By the time we caught up to Highlander Bloodhound had left and headed for home and we finally pulled up together at San Jacinto. We crossed the light and made our way to Santa Fe before dropping down to Latham and west back past state. We continued on to Palm where Digger and I went in opposite directions leaving Highlander, surgeon and MacGyver to head west towards Burger King. All I was thinking of was how nice the day had been and the idea that I was glad I had dragged myself out of bed to go on a bike ride with friends.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 5/27/13 Memorial day is normally one of our better attended ride and even with the A group racing today it was my hope we would have a good turnout for a 60 mile Lake Elsinore loop. The predicted weather was close to perfect so I dressed for a warm day and headed for coffee with Digger about 7:15 this morning. By 8am we had a reasonable group ready to ride down Gilmore and over to Kirby on Acacia. We didn’t have to wait at the light on Kirby and were heading south towards Cypress. We headed towards Cypress nine strong. Ruby Tuesday, T-3, Highlander, Tax Man, Digger, MacGyver, Metric Man and his friend Steve, (Doc Holliday) and me. We turned onto Cypress and moved through the housing tract towards Johnston. This time we caught the light at Johnston and Sanderson. I didn’t know if Metric Man, Doc Holliday and MacGyver were going to stick with the rest of the group as we rolled over Stetson and headed for Mustang. I had nothing to worry about as I took the first pull west on Domenigoni. After the first slight rise I gave it over to Highlander and he pulled us to Warren and over the dry wash. Ruby Tuesday took over and pulled us to Winchester and Metric Man pulled up front and took us to Leon where MacGyver made a run for the Saddle. Doc Holliday caught his back wheel and Metric Man was on Holliday’s. I managed to jump them at the climb and we ended up regrouping at the top. We really didn’t stay on the saddle all that long because it seemed like people were getting itchy to get on the way and head for the Lake. Being Memorial Day we were pretty sure there would be a lot of activities around Lake Elsinore and there would be at least on Motorcycle rally and a five K run. So we dropped off the back side just as Coyote arrived to join us raising our number to ten. Once past Lindenburger we quickly came to and crossed Menifee and then Antelope. When the light changed at Antelope Highlander took off for the over pass like a man on a mission with Tax Man right on his wheel. The rest of us followed at a more sedate pace but got caught at Haun only to watch the two of them fade into the distance. Not that it was a problem because we knew they would be stopping at Carl’s before starting out again to ride past Murrieta and towards Rail Road Canyon. Once we started the climb into Rail Road Canyon the group started to split up. MacGyver and Doc Holliday got the first jump but got caught at a light at the top of the second climb. Highlander and I got the second jump but we got caught at the light on the last climb and the big decent. We all regrouped at the big left past Mickey Ds where a big group from Jax’s was regrouping. We headed south towards Corydon and west towards Grand Ave. Metric Man and Holliday had to stop to refuel on Corydon and Grand while Ruby Tuesday, T-3, Coyote, Highlander and Digger continued on. That left Tax man, MacGyver and I to ride with Holliday and Metric Man on Grand headed towards Riverside Drive. Metric Man pulled us almost all the way there. It only took a few minutes to ride down Riverside to Jack in the Box where we were going to take our coffee break. I was surprised at how well everyone seemed to be doing as we sat and talked for about 15 minutes. As soon as everyone was ready we cleaned up and ready we moved back out and mounted our bikes and headed for Lakeshore Drive and the Town of Elsinore. We made it Main and back to Lakeshore to make the run back to Rail Road Canyon. We worked our way through Rail Road Canyon and regrouped just before the drop down the last hill towards Murrieta. We caught that light as well and headed back towards Bradley and then Haun. We still had to pass over the freeway and then Antelope. Coyote headed for home and the group started to spread out so I fell back to lead the back half and had Metric Man take the front half home. We lost Metric Man and his group at Winchester and continued on to Warren together. I took the lead again and moved towards Sanderson. After Warren our pace slowed a bit and we closed in on the rise before Sanderson. As you top the rise you see the light at Sanderson and that sight more or less gives us just a bit of extra energy. We turned north on Sanderson and I almost felt like we had a tail wind. I took us to Stetson and once again we sat at the light waiting to continue on towards home. T-3, Ruby Tuesday and I broke off at Johnston and headed east. Suddenly I started to feel just a bit tired but the two women made me pretend I still had more than enough energy. I left the two at their gate and headed for home and a hot shower and lunch. It was a great 60 mile ride and it was great weather. Yes there is a reason we live where we live and today was part of it.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 5/24/13 So far this week had been a rather good one. Yes it was hot on Monday but Wednesday was cooler and today was predicted to be more of the same. I needed the miles and Highlander was going to be returning with his new bike so what else could I do but go west and head for French Valley. I put on my kit, had breakfast and headed to meet up with Digger and Dura Max. Digger and I had coffee and a short visit with our recumbent friends before going outside to visit with Dura Max and wait for the rest of the group to arrive. Highlander did show up as did T-3 and Ruby Tuesday along with Centaur. Finally Bulldozer and Gambler pulled up and told us we were waiting for Torpedo. As soon we as he pulled up in the Mall parking lot we headed out onto Gilmore to Acacia. T-3 took us onto Acacia and down to the light at Kirby to wait at the light. It took tw cycles before we could turn south on Kirby. We got through the light before the big dogs and were almost to Cypress before they could give full chase. Not that we were moving so fast but we did have a head start. However they were on us by Cypress and T-3 once again set the pace through the housing tract towards Johnston and Sanderson. As we waited at the light on Sanderson Centaur informed me he would only be doing about half of the ride so I more or less expected he would stay with the B group on Domenigoni. I didn’t expect to see much of the A group once we made the turn west but that too might prove to be a surprise to me. We finally got a green and we were on our way past Stetson and up to Mustang. We held it together pretty well as we rounded the corner onto Domenigoni and I took the first pull. We lost the A group in a break of three as one after the other dropped the hammer heading west. I got to the rise and gave it to T-3 who pulled to warren before Ruby Tuesday took us to Winchester and Dura Max got us to Leon. Centaur took us from Leon to the Saddle where all but the As regrouped. After a short break we were back on our way. As we dropped off of the hill I got a good roll going and even managed to at coast through the Light at Lindenburger. So far it didn’t seem like we had a lot of wind but then that could have been because what wind we did have was coming out of the south and it was being blocked by the low hills to our left. But we were not spared a traffic clump that kept us from getting into the left turn lane so we had to box the turn at Menifee and wait for the light before heading south. As we move south on Menifee I gave up the lead to Highlander and Centaur. Centaur was about ready to turn back and decided to make the climb on Revival Hill as we got ready to head west to Antelope. To our surprise as Centaur broke off Gambler, Bulldozer and Torpedo came off of our left on Holland and joined us heading to Antelope. Gambler rode with us a bit as Bulldozer and Torpedo took off. Gambler left us as we turned south and Headed to Scott. We regrouped and formed a pace line crossing Scott and heading towards the Hospital. I gave the lead to Digger who pulled faithfully to light just past the Hospital. He was concentrating so hard on keeping the line together that he seems timid about picking up speed as we got close to the Forklift/Bus yard. I came back out front and turned us on Stepp and headed for White wood. Highlander and I made it through the stop sign and to Whitewood first and waited till the group caught us at the first light. Highlander and I started pulling away once we crested the rise and started the first long fast downhill and once again made it to a stop light only to be caught again. However we got away again and just before we got to Murrieta Hot Springs we say Double Time fixing a flat. He caught us at the light again and rode with us towards Winchester before turning off a few blocks before we got there. Digger noticed as we got to Winchester that there is always a payback for any long downhill. We once again started a climb together and were half way up the hill when out of nowhere the A group came up behind us and past. We finally regrouped at the gas station on East Benton. Once we were rested and refueled we were back on Winchester and headed north. Ruby Tuesday, Dura Max and T-3 took the lead and headed for Thompson/Max Gillis. It is about half a mile to the light and even though traffic was pretty light we had to move pretty slowly till we had a chance to merge left into the turn lane and wait till itchanged before heading west towards Leon. We were still moving along as one big group and I got the pull on Leon and took us north back towards Scott. It seemed like there must have been some kind of detour moving traffic onto Leon from some other streets because there was a lot more traffic heading our way than I normally see. Which was every bit as surprising because there was almost no traffic on Leon when we first headed north. But as car after car and truck after truck past us we closed in on Scott and could see that before we got there we were going to run into a construction site. As we pulled up next to the heavy equipment I could see an open trench at least 12 feet wide and 10 or 15 feet deep. Once past it we were back in line and heading to Scott. As we turned onto Scott and headed west Highlander and I hit the hill pretty good and took us pretty much all the way to Menifee. Just as we turned north Torpedo headed for Garboni and by the time the rest of us got there Bulldozer and Gambler took off after him. They had planned on attacking Simpson so there was absolutely no reason for us the try and stay with them. Ruby Tuesday jumped on it heading for Newport and rounded the corner first. She did wait for us at Lindenburger and we were once again a group as we rode to Simpson and east back towards Winchester. We all took turns in the front as we headed past Leon and finally turned north on Winchester to stop at Chris’s Dura Max, T-3 and Ruby Tuesday didn’t want to stop but Digger, Highlander and I wanted some coffee and conversation so we did stop and spend some time in casual conversation as the other three headed for home. After a brief stop we got back on the road and Highlander pulled us up to Stowe a lot faster than I expected. We turned onto Stowe and pushed our way east to California. It was a short ride up to Stetson and once again we were heading east. Right after we crossed over Warren we pulled up on Dura Max and Ruby Tuesday helping T-3 with a flat. When we got back on our way I headed for Sanderson leaving Highlander and Digger at the airport road. Dura Max and his group caught me at Cawston and rode with me to Sanderson and then over to Johnston. We dropped T-3 and Ruby Tuesday off at their gate and then Dura Max and I headed for my street where I turned for home with 52 miles on the computer. That brought my weekly mileage up a but and a lot closer to what I wanted to have after last week.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 5/22/13 Monday was a scorcher but today was supposed a bit cooler with maybe a light wind. I decided to back things down a bit and take a turn on the Bridge to Soboba ride. I planned on making it rather easy and steady. I just didn’t know how many we would have making the ride. I had breakfast and got dressed and headed for Burger King to start the day. Like many days it started with Digger, Dura Max and I chatting away till Bloodhound arrived. Red Rabbit showed up followed by T-3 and at that time we were thinking that was about it. Just as we were about to hit the road Huntress pulled up making it seven riders on a cool overcast morning. As soon as she unloaded her bike we headed out on Latham and over to Lyon to head north and start a 38 mile trek. I was a bit surprised at the pace we set heading north past Deveonshire and that it didn’t slacken as we past Cottonwood. Huntress pulled for a while and then Bloodhound and looking back I could see Dura Max and T-3 were right with us. Even Red Rabbit was holding on but I will admit I was worried that the pace would blow up the group well before we got to Ramona. But I shouldn’t have worried because we were all pretty much together as we got ready to turn onto Ramona Boulevard and head for Sanderson. Once we were at the light on Sanderson and the Expressway I took the lead and pulled us at a steady 19-20 all the way to Warren. Red Rabbit held on pretty good most of the way until the slight rise before Warren when he lost the draft. I dropped back to get him and we started to pull back to the back of the group till we hit the driveway where the Golden Retriever came out to greet us. He fell off again and the group got away clean all the way to Bridge. As we rounded the corner Dura Max and T-3 were waiting for us as we all rode north together towards Gilman. As we rounded the big right hand curve past the Bird sanctuary Dura Max pulled us and Red Rabbit seemed to be getting stronger. He stayed with us and even picked up speed as we got back to Sanderson before making our way back to Ramona and east towards State. Huntress, Bloodhound and Digger pulled away from the four of us as Dura Max, T-3, Rabbit and I followed them to State. We found the three of them waiting for us at Mickey Ds and then headed north. Once again I managed to get out front and as we rolled back over the Expressway. I felt like it was easier to spin the gears today that it had been Monday but then it wasn’t as hot today and I had been drinking my fluids much faster than Monday as well. Still I was able to pull at 20 and spin at 100 RPM all the way to the bridge with everyone hooked to my back wheel like a Simi Truck and Trailer. My heart rate was good and I dropped onto the back wheel of Huntress as we headed for the first roller. She bogged a bit and I pulled to the second roller. Before we topped that roller Bloodhound took over and ran away. I fell back and got Huntresses wheel again. Before I knew it Rabbit was with us and once or twice he tried to pass. He couldn’t hold at the rise by the Driving range where I had been pulling trying to close with Bloodhound. At the bottom of the past roller before the end of the golf course Huntress pulled around me and closed on Bloodhound but not quite enough catch him before we regrouped at the trees. We didn’t rest long before we took off again and headed for the river crossing. I managed to take the sprint over the river and had to wait at the light with everyone before making our way east on Ramona. The pace heading towards Cedar was almost as fast as when we were on Lyon and I was surprised. Bloodhound took off again on Cedar and it took me at least a quarter of a mile to catch him. I held his wheel till Cedar turned into Fairview and then dropped off to cruise to Florida and back to Carl’s. We pulled in without Rabbit; I think he stopped at Casino. Huntress had to leave so the rest of us went inside and had coffee and conversation till Rabbit arrived. After that we walked outside only to discover T-3 had a flat. Once the tire was fixed we pulled out of the parking lot and headed north on New Chicago. We were in a pretty talkative mood as we slowly headed left onto Lincoln and started the ride east. I discovered that T-3 and Dura Max were going all the way back with us for a change so we stayed together all the way to Park and then over to Devonshire. We lost Bloodhound before we got back to San Jacinto and we continued on to Santa Fe and then down to Latham. We crossed State Street and split up at Palm with Digger heading north and Dura Max, T-3 and I heading south. I rode with them to Johnston and we split once more with me heading east and they west. I got home with just at 40 miles on my computer. It was a great day with good people.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 5/20/13 When I started planning for today’s ride I looked carefully looked at all of the weather reports and it looked like a nice day with just a little wind. With an expected high of 84 in the afternoon how could it be any less than close to perfect for a half century? So I had breakfast, a Strawberry, raspberry, banana smoothie, got dressed and went out to check my bike tires. I headed for Burger King expecting to have coffee with Digger and we would wait and see how many others wanted to give Lake Perris a Shot. Sure enough Digger was there when I pulled up and we were drinking our coffee when Dura Max arrived. We couldn’t wait by the windows however because by 8:05 it was just too hot to stand in the open under the sun. To our surprise Highlander pulled up to talk to us about his bike repair and while he was there Tax man pulled up. Next came Torpedo followed by Bulldozer and Bloodhound. Bounty Hunter showed up to my surprise because I hadn’t seen him in months. Coyote arrived followed by T-3 and Ruby Tuesday and all we had to wait for was Gambler who texted me he was on his way. We headed out onto Gilmore as soon as Gambler pulled up. I was a little stiff as we moved down Gilmore and that was a bit surprising as well because it was a lot warmer than Friday and I felt pretty good on Friday. As we rounded the corner onto Acacia I fell in behind Ruby Tuesday and followed her to the turning lane and caught the light at Kirby. While we sat there Bloodhound pulled up next to me and waited for the light. I knew I would have to get on the stick if I wanted to lead us to the railroad tracks because Bloodhound always starts off fast when the light changes. But I got clipped in first and got the lead. Now all we had to do was make the turn onto Cypress and ride through the housing tract and over to Johnston. I will admit I was just a bit apprehensive about the run west on Domenigoni because I wasn’t sure I had much energy in my legs if the pack was much over 18. That thought was fresh in my mind as we finally turned onto Sanderson and crossed Stetson. Bloodhound took over the pull and picked up the pace, far too early for me by the way, and to my horror Dura Max, T-3, and Ruby Tuesday took off with him. We were pushing 20 as we crossed Mustang and I had to fall in behind Bounty Hunter and let him pull me up to the fleeing foursome. Bloodhound took us around the corner and west on Domenigoni and quickly had us up to 20 with Dura Max, Ruby Tuesday, T-3 and Bounty Hunter right on his wheel. The thing about Bloodhound is you never know how long he will pull and today was almost a marathon pull as he took us past Warren and over the dry wash. He didn’t give up there however and still had the lead heading to Leon. However Torpedo pulled up to relieve him and as soon as he took the lead Gambler and Bulldozer attacked and four of them took off without the rest of us. Dura Max and Digger pulled for a bit before Ruby Tuesday took over and pulled away herself with me on her wheel all the way to the regroup on top of the Saddle. We didn’t stay on the Saddle all that long and the A group was part way down the hill as we got started towards Lindenburger. As we started down the backside I had to crank it up to get in front and get a quick picture of the A group. This time of the year we let the A group run their own pace once they get to Domenigoni, Ramona, or Stowe so I thought once they were on Lindenburger they would be gone and we wouldn’t see them till we got to the AM/PM. To my surprise the A group stayed with us on Lindenburger and we were close to them all the way to McCall and then onto Menifee. We spread out a bit on Menifee and watched them pull into the AM/PM with some of us following. Bounty Hunter left early so he wasn’t with us as I turned into the driveway and Dura Max, Ruby Tuesday, T-3 and Coyote continued on over Florida while Tax Man stopped for a nature break. By the time we were back on the bikes and headed north on Menifee I knew the chase would be on even with me starting the run. Soon Bloodhound passed me and then Gambler, Bulldozer and Torpedo took off. Bloodhound started to follow but soon the three started pulling away before he could catch a wheel and he was dropped. Still he was 100 yards in front of me. I knew trying to close with the big dogs would be a waste of energy so I set a reasonable pace and pulled digger and Tax Man to Nuevo and west towards Evans. We saw Bloodhound waiting for us about two blocks before Evans and he seemed to be fine and started up as soon as we past him. I took the lead to Evans and started us north even if I pulled begrudgingly at this point. It was getting hot already and we hadn’t made it to Lake Perris yet. I felt like I might be fading as we past Orange and rounded the bend to the first stop light. We caught it green and by Ryder we could see the Dura Max group waiting at the light. My spirits were lifted once we caught them and headed for Ramona. Coyote was in good form and I fell back to talk with him as we moved north. I teased him about how his facial hair made him look like a bad guy gun slinger in a western but if you know Coyote you know that only encouraged him. And encouraging him means he teased me back at least two fold. He knew full well I had almost burned myself out trying to pull Digger and Tax Man up to his group so he also knew full well I was dreading the climb to the dam going into the park. So as we made the right turn onto Ramona and got ready to turn towards the park he pulled up behind me and pushed me all the way into the turn lane and towards the turn. I did have enough to pull ahead and get a picture heading towards the gate. The group let me get away so I was through the gate and started up the hill chasing Bloodhound. Now it was getting real hot and as I made the first rise before the Indian Museum I saw Ruby Tuesday gaining on me pretty fast. It was all I could do to stay in front of her till the turn on the frontage road leading to the Marina. Bloodhound took the long way to the Marina so I got to the deck first to meet with Gambler as he was about to leave with Bulldozer and Torpedo. They had appointments and I knew we would never be able to keep up with them anyway so they headed for home. The rest of us took a short break and followed down the bike path towards the back gate. Once again we lost Bloodhound well before we got to the back gate of Lake Perris. When we pulled out onto Ramona Ruby Tuesday and T-3 lead us back towards Lakeview where Coyote had left for home before we got there. Tax Man and Digger got a bit of a lead on us at the light but Tax Man waited while Digger continued on. It was just our luck that the wind decided to hit us in the face. We all took turns chasing Digger and once Ruby Tuesday got back in the lead she acted like she could smell blood like a hunting dog. Finally she managed to run him down and we absorbed him into our group and headed to Sanderson. We made to jog off of the expressway to Ramona Boulevard and found Bloodhound waiting under the big shade trees where we stopped to regroup. Bloodhound was out of water so Ruby Tuesday and Dura Max shared some with him and we continued on at a slower pace towards Lyon. By now it was well past 90 degrees so it was much hotter than the 84 or 86 I was expecting. I tried to keep the pace down and spin an easy gear all the way to Lyon and keep everyone from blowing up in the heat. Everyone behaved pretty well as we made our turn south and I made the mistake of ramping up a bit too soon and gapped the group. I slowed down to let them reconnect with the draft but Bloodhound rolled on by as soon as they caught me and took over the pull. Digger, Dura Max and I turned east on Menlo before splitting up on Palm and going our separate way. I headed south and by the time I got back to Florida I was out of water as well. It was also close to 100 as I got to my street and pulled up to my house. Way hotter than I thought it would be and a lot more exhausting. Still I made it and had a good time with friends so as they say, it’s all good.